MEMBRANE FORMATION AND CELLULAR-RESPONSE ON THE SURFACE OF LENSES IMPLANTED IN RABBIT EYES

Purpose: To study the pathogenesis of membrane formation and cellular response on the surface of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted in rabbits. Setting: Department of Histology and Embryology , Pathology, Ophthalmology, The First Military Medical University, Gua ngzhou, P.R. China. Methods: Thirty rabbits had extracapsular lens ext raction and posterior chamber IOL implantation. The IOLs were removed 4, 7, 15, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Membrane formation and cell ular response on IOL surfaces were evaluated using light (n = 25), tra nsmission (n = 5), and scanning electron (n = 5) microscopy. Results: On 30 IOLs, the incidence of cellular adhesion was 100%. Cellular comp onents comprised macrophages, fibroblast-like cells, epithelioid cells , giant cells, ultralarge giant cells, and lymphocytes. A thin, protei naceous film was also seen on the surface of the IOLs. The membrane of the IOL surface comprised fibrin, collagen fibrils, macrophages, fibr oblast-like cells, giant cells, and fibroblasts. Conclusion: The findi ngs of this study might apply to humans because cellular elements and membranes have been reported in humans.